Frozen Fire Wins Irish Derby

We returned from holiday 1am last night and was still quite bleary-eyed this morning, but still managed to remember to put some money on Frozen Fire this morning, when I got a price of 21/1 on him. I don't bet much; after all, it's a mug's game, but a couple of pounds on Frozen Fire were sure to be a good investment in my opinion. I was actually quite surprised to see him at such long odds. I know he ran only 11th at Epsom, but it was well publicised that he had not handled the track or the way the race was run. I felt quite confident that the Curragh would suit him better and that he would show himself to be a very good horse today.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) went off and Frozen Fire settled comfortably at the back of the pack. Seamus Heffernan really took it easy with him and was happy to chase the rest from the tail end. I was slightly worried, though I knew that Frozen Fire had a decent turn of foot. I properly sat up and started cheering him on when I noticed that all the other jockeys started pumping on their mounts and yet Seamie was still sitting still on Frozen Fire. He had to feel that he had plenty of horse left, I thought. Then I saw him started to make his move and the horse made ground quickly. Alessandro Volta drifted in and then out, hampering Tartan Bearer and Curtain Call in the process. It also meant that Frozen Fire had to go wide, to the middle of the track. By that time he had gained momento and no one was going to stop him.

Casual Conquest finished 2nd with Alessandro Volta back in third, but he was demoted to fourth due to the interference and Tartan Bearer was promoted to third instead. Controversially, places between Alessandro Volta and Curtain Call were not reversed.

There is plenty of debate to say that Tartan Bearer or Curtain Call would have won if not for Alessandro Volta's interference, but I disagree. This was Frozen Fire's day and he would have won no matter what.

Of course I would say that, as he is a TOF horse :o)

He won the 1m4f race in 2:31.90 under Seamus Heffernan. He is owned by Michael Tabor and trained by Aidan O'Brien in Ireland.

At The Races article

Just a note

I have been quite slack in the last week or so, but we are off on holiday to France on Saturday and trying to sort stuff out plus work is wearing me out - no good!

I just got a notification that both Ibn Khaldun and Frozen Fire are entered for the Irish Derby. I doubt whether Ibn Khaldun will run in it, as I see him as more of a miler. I hope that the fact he holds an entry means that his injury has cleared up. As for Frozen Fire, I honestly think he has a great chance. The Epsom course was not to his liking, but maybe the Curragh will suit better?

Anyway, my posts will probably be sparse until I am back from holiday on 28 June, but 29 June it is time for the Irish Derby! Wooohoo!

Plus I hope Holland will be in the final of Euro 2008 on the same day :o)

Epsom Derby Day 2008

Just thought I'd post a few photos from the Epsom races last week:

It was a lovely day, some sunshine and some cloud. There was a good crowd and the Derby promised to be an interesting one with New Approach as a late surprise addition to the field.

We got there before the second race, the Woodcote Stakes, for two year olds over 6 furlongs. We managed to get a nice spot at the bottom of Tattenham corner. Smokey Storm won the race, he is the fourth horse from the right, his jockey has a red cap and the red bands around his arms.

Then came the Princess Elizabeth Stakes for fillies and mares over a mile. We wanted to catch the start of that one, but couldn't quite got there. We were on the inside of the track and were not allowed to cross to the outside anymore, so didn't quite catch the start. It was nice to see the horses cantering to the start though.





































Lady Gloria won the race, but of course I never managed get a photo of her!!

Next was the Dash, one of my favourite races, over five furlongs.
Especially eye catching going to the start was Hereford Boy with his big white face:
But the winner was Holbeck Ghyll:

Then it was finally time for the Derby. Of course Frozen Fire was my favourite, but he did not seem to quite handle the topsy turvy nature of the Epsom course, but he should be winning soon! Watch my words :o)
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My favourite moment of race day is to see the horse go down to the start. They are all still possible Derby winners and they all look strong and beautiful as they canter past. A horse I liked a lot was Rio De La Plata. He is one of those horses that is not very elegant or pretty, but he looked strong and impressive to me. He too should be winning some big races this year:


The Derby field came round the turn and there was still everything to play for. Maidstone Mixture was leading at this point, New Approach and Frozen Fire both at the back of the field with Rio midpack.
And finally, I present the Derby winner, New Approach:

2008 Foals, update 8

Some more foals from my crop mares:

- Canadian Frontier x Enchant (War Chant) colt
- Forestry x Seeking The Heart (Seeking The Gold) filly SHARED HEART
- Rockport Harbor x Vaulting (Dubai Millennium) colt
- Heckle x Dakota Ruby (Stephen Got Even) filly
- Pulpit x Golden Sphinx (Storm Cat) colt
- Forest Camp x Her Temptation (High Yield) filly
- Motivator x Japanese Whisper (Machiavellian) colt
- Cape Cross x Mille (Dubai Millennium) filly
- Songandaprayer x Mizzen Lass (Grand Slam) colt

Mille is my favourite Dubai Millennium daughter and I hope her Cape Cross filly will do well.
I am also looking forward to the Motivator/Japanese Whisper colt in particular.

Sunny Morning Breaks Maiden

3yo filly Sunny Morning broke her maiden yesterday at her second attempt. Her first attempt came a month earlier when she finished 2nd by a head in a similar maiden a month ago.

She went to the start of race 7 at Woodbine, a maiden special weight worth CAN$66,000 over a fast all weather track. She showed obvious promise in her first race and went off favourite. She led on the turn and drew off to win by 5 1/4 lengths over Fix You and Reverently.

Sunny Morning is owned by Gainesway Stable and trained by Steven Asmussen. She was bred by Dr Patricia Ziefle.

She is a daughter of Miss Delta Dawn, who is also the dam of Mississippi Madam.

Weekend Afterthoughts 7/8June 08

The weekend did not quite go as planned, but am not too dissatisfied.

Thor's Echo's return to the track was low key, but he finished a tidy 4th behind Benny The Bull, only losing by less than a couple of lengths. He can only improve after this run and I am looking forward to his next run.

Frozen Fire only finished 11th in the Derby, but he was not disgraced and there should be a group race in him somewhere. He holds entries for the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on 20 June and the Irish Derby on 29 June at the Curragh, plus the Coral Eclipse on 5 July. Whichever his connections decide to go for, he should still in with a good chance. One report said that Frozen Fire did not like the hill at Epsom at all! It was nice to be able to see him in person.

This is a photo I took of him:

ToF Weekend Entries 7/8 June 08

Saturday:
Thor's Echo, Belmont, race 6, $150k G2 True North H, 6f dirt,
4th - pressed pace, tired
Watchtower, Suffolk Downs, race 5, $14k claiming, 1m70y dirt,
7th - four wide 1st, six wide top stretch
Gentlemen's Gun, Fairmount Prk, race 7, $7,6k all opt cl, 6f dirt,
5th - three wide turn, late gain
Darian 'n Me, Kamloops, race 6, $3,3k allowance, 4 1/2 f dirt,
Yossi, Doncaster 4.30, £4,8 handicap, 1m4f turf,
10th - weakened final furlong
Trippin Up, Monmouth Prk, race 6, $37k maiden, 1 1/16m dirt,
5th - steadied when in tight 7/8
Torpedo Run, Pimlico, race 6, $30k allowance, 6f dirt,
2nd - move between, angled five wide, game
Through The Clouds, Churchill Downs, race 9, $43k allowance, 1m trf,
4th - three wide 1/4 pole
Frozen Fire, Epsom 4.00, £802 Vodafone Derby, 1m4f turf,
11th - fifteenth straight, kept on but no danger final 2f
Nobu, Presque Isle Dns, race 3, $17k maid claim, 4 1/2 f all wthr,
5th - even trip
Bitter Bill, Hollywood Prk, race 7, $34k claiming, 6f turf,
5th - four wide into lane, no bid


Sunday:
Bitter Lemon, Delaware Prk, race 8, $46k all opt cl, 1m70y dirt,
3rd - Finished determinedly
Valarchos Destiny, Delaware Prk, race 8, $46k all opt cl, 1m70y dirt,
5th - led 3/4, weakened
Aragorn, Hastings, race 2, $20k allowance, 6 1/2f dirt,
7th - trailed
She's Sensational, Golden Gate Flds, race 3, $75k Yerba Buena S, 1 3/8m trf, 4th three wide final turn, evenly
El Indy, Churchill Downs, race 10, $32k claiming, 1 1/16m turf,
5th - four path second turn

Expectations For Frozen Fire's Derby

Well, today is one of the most exciting days since I started picking crops in 2001. It is the first time that one of my lot is taken its place in the ye olde Epsom Derby.

Frozen Fire will go the post in the historic race over the Epsom Downs. And in my opinion he goes in with a great chance. He was only just beaten by a head in the Dante by Tartan Bearer and the Dante has had a habit of delivering Derby winners in the last few years. He should be able to beat Tartan Bearer. Frozen Fire is relatively inexperienced, but he has improved from last year and should be able to stay the Derby distance.

What a twist it was earlier this week when Jim Bolger announced New Approach would go to the Derby after all. It certainly made the race more interesting.

Still, for me it is still Frozen Fire. I honestly believe he has the stamina and the guts to win this.

And you know what the best thing is? I will be there to see it! I am hoping to be at Epsom this afternoon. It looks to be a nice day, so I am looking forward to it. So nervous already for the Derby!

Thor's Echo To Make Welcome Return

Another of my favourites will return to the racetrack. Thor's Echo, the 2006 champion sprinter, will return to the racetrack today. He goes to the start for the G2 True North H at Belmont.

He had a bone chip removed in August and has been given some time off. Hopefully he will come back refreshed and ready to run. In my opinion he does not need to win today, even though I fully expect him to run well. He should get better over the course of the season, so expect he shows up for the Breeders' Cup Sprint again this year.

Eastern Anthem Beaten By A Head

Eastern Anthem only lost by a head to Peppertree Lane in yesterday's Hildon Stakes, a Listed event over 1 1/2 miles at Goodwood. As you know, I was surprised to see him as a third string for Godolphin, but I think he proved today that he definitely deserves to be first string and if he continues this season as he started he will be winning some nice races for the Godolphin team.

He holds an entry in the G1 Gold Cup at Ascot on 19 June, but I am concerned that the race might be a little far for him. From his pedigree he should be most effective over 1m2f, but we will see.

I am very pleased that he ran well and I hope he can build on this.

The Return Of The Anthem

Eastern Anthem, son of the great Kazzia, makes his return to the track today. I adore this horse and have done since he was a foal, simply because he is Kazzia's first foal. Kazzia was a fantastic racemare and I wanted her son to take after her. He broke his maiden first time out and but 'only' managed a second and third as a three-year-old. He hasn't raced for over a year.

Funnily enough, he seems to be Godolphin's third choice in the race, but I am hoping his return will be successful,. Fingers crossed!

ToF Tidbits - 4 June 2008

I have been really busy and a 'tidbits' is long overdue.

First off all I would like to mention Ibn Khaldun. He was supposed to run in the Prix De Jockey Club at Chantilly last week, but was pulled out on the Friday before when he was found lame that morning, though I had a feeling he was going to be scratched anyway. The week before he was not running in the Irish 2000 Guineas because he was to be given a bit more time, so the notion that he would run in the French Derby a week later is rather odd. Fingers crossed that his injury is not too bad. I simply hope it is not something that has been lingering. His performance in the Guineas was very disappointing and I am in no doubt that he is a better horse than he showed that day. I hope he gets a chance to prove that.

Miracles do happen, Sarcasm finally lost her maiden status. The three-year-old filly by Distorted Humor had had 10 starts before yesterday's race, in five of those she finished second. She made her move at Fort Erie, away from her usual Woodbine track. Maybe the change of scenery did it, but most probably a weaker field. Whatever the reason, she trounced a 7-horse field by over fourteen lengths.

Cat Dreams' most expensive offspring has started working. Kat Bon D, who brought $200k at the two-year-old sale at Keeneland, worked 3 furlongs at Santa Anita's all weather on 1 June in 37.20.

Winterlily won her first start at the season in a claiming race over 6 furlongs at Finger Lakes on 2 June, beating Patti's Classy in the process, who came in last of seven.

Meer Kat was vanned off after his race on 1 June at Hollywood Park. He finished 6th in a race that he should have been there or thereabouts in. He was not unsaddled but was vanned off immediately. I am keeping my fingers crossed he is ok.

Weekend Afterthoughts 31 May/1June 08

I already posted on Callwood Dancer, who became a G2 winner on Saturday.

O Devil broke his maiden on Saturday in race 9 at Prairie Meadows. It was his fourth lifetime start. He beat Heaven Waits into second by 4 lengths. He led throughout and drew off driving.

Bluesbdancing, one of my favourite race mares, finished third in the Your Ladyship S at Arlington yesterday behind Magnetic Miss and Modjadhi. She now has earnings of over $400k

Unfortunately I saw on the chart that Meer Kat was vanned off after his race at Hollywood Park. I sincerely hope he is ok and that whatever injury he sustained is not too serious.

A Nose Is Enough For Callwood Dancer

I felt that Callwood Dancer would be able to get some black type in yesterday's Nassau S, a G2 race for 3yo and upward fillies and mares at Woodbine over 1 1/16m on the turf, but she really did show she is a gutsy filly. She surpassed my expectations by winning and I can't tell you how pleased I am that she did!

I remember picking her for my 2004 crop. She was in the Goffs sale and on the Goffs website they sometimes have pictures next to the results that are taken at the sale. There was one of Callwood Dancer that caught my eye, she has this lovely liver chestnut colour and she looked very elegant. I loved her named too, so one to follow she became.

She raced twice in the UK as a two-year-old and although winless she ran decent enough with a third in her first race and a second in her second and last race there, both at Windsor. She transferred to Harlequin Ranches in the summer and finished her 2yo campaign with consistent performances in Canada, but remained a maiden.

She grew into a nice three-year-old and broke her maiden first time out in May 2007. She was once again very consistent, winning a further two races and showing in another two. That she has once again improved as a four-year-old is a definite. She won on her return in a allowance race at Woodbine by half a length and her trainer and owner believed in her enough to enter her into the Nassau S against the likes of Sealy Hill. I was in doubt whether she would be quite up for such a jump in class, but boy, am I glad they did!

She set the pace straight out of the gate. With no other frontrunner in the race, she could do pretty much what she wanted. The pace was slow over the first four furlongs, which obviously suited her fine. Quite a European way of racing; start slow and speed up later, I like it. Quiet Jungle rallied to try and get passed her and it looked like she would, but Callwood Dancer would just not give up and prevailed by a nose. The favourite Sealy Hill was maybe a little unlucky in running and was going well at the finish 1 1/4 lengths behind Quiet Jungle.

She won for owner Harlequin Ranches and trainer Roger Attfield. She was bred by Quay Bloodstock in Ireland.

So far she has run 13 races, 5 firsts, 1 second and 5 thirds.

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